Refrigerating system for vehicles and the like



Jan. 16, 1934.

J. D. STROBELL ET AL REFRIGERATING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 30, 1929 fob/NQ 5T/9055@ cffofE//z/JE y DIVENTORS4 59W s] ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

t John D. Strobell and George E. Hulse,- New Haven, Conn., assignors to The Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 30, 1929 Serial No. 417,410

26 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigeration.

One of the objects thereof is to provide apparatus for this purpose which is simple and practical in construction. Another object is to provide refrigeration apparatus which is dependable and economical in action. Another object is to provide apparatus which may be conveniently installed and effectively used in a vehicle. Another object is to provide an art of reirigerating which shall be thoroughly reliable and efficient. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The /invention accordingly consists in the features f construction, combination of elements, anc/L/ rrangements of parts all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the'application of. which will be indicated in the following claims. p

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention: A

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view more or less diagrammatic; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the control mechanism.

Similar reference characters refer to similar `parts throughout both views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a railway car 10 to which the refrigerating apparatus has been applied. At one end of the body of the car is constructed a bunker or compartment 11 to receive the refrigerant which may be of any suitable type such as ordinary ice, solidified CO2 or other suitable substance. More than one bunker or compartment may be used if a larger supply of refrigerant is required or other conditions render this necessary or advisable. An opening as 12 may be provided in the top of the car or at some other convenient location to enable this refrigerant to be deposited in the compartment 11. A cover 13 forms a closure for this opening. The walls of the car and particularly the partition between the compartment containing the refrigerant and the cooling chamber of the car may be constructedv of suitable heat insulating material.

Within the compartment 11 is a condenser as .14 of suitable type which is connected to an evaporator as 15 in the cooling chamber of the car. This condenser 14 consists of a series of vertical pipes 16 connected at top and bottom to horizontal heads 17 and 18 respectively. The evaporator 15 in the form of a pipe coil has its terminals connected to the condenser to form therewith a 55 closed refrigerating system.

(Cl. (i2-91.5)

Within the evaporator is placed a volatile liquid of suitable type which partially i'llls the same. 'I'he system is provided with valves as 19, 20 and 21 which control the flow of fluid therein. The valve 19 in the construction shown is a simple 6o check valve and is located in the riser pipe 22 connecting the head 18 with the evaporator proper. The valve 20 is an adjustable check valve and is located near the outlet end of the evaporator. The valve 21 is a thermostatically con- 65 trolled cut-off valve actuated by a thermostatic bulb 23 containing a volatile liquid and situated within the car interior which is to be cooled. The valve 20, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 2, is of the spring loaded type in which the stem 24 70 is forced toward the Valve seat by a spring 25, and the pressure of this spring is regulated by an adjustable member 26 against which it acts. This valve may be set to open at any predetermined excess of pressure in the evaporator over that in the conductor. The valve 19, not being loaded, will operate on very small differences of pressure.

The evaporator may be located at any convenient part of the car or other chamber to be cooled but usually is placed on or near the ceiling. The thermostat 23 may be of any suitable type which will actuate the valve 21 in accordance with variations in temperature in the cooling chamber of the car body. This thermostat acts to open the valve 21 when the temperature in the car body rises above the point at which the thermostat is set and to close this valve when the temperature drops below this point.

In operation, the volatile liquid in the evaporator 15 is evaporated due to the heat in the car interior. The vapor thus produced passes through valves 21 and 20 into the condenser where it is condensed to a liquid by the refrigerant, and this liquid returns to the evaporator through check valve 19. When the temperature in the car drops substantially to or below that desired, the valve 21 closes and remains closed until such time as the temperature rises again. The closing of this valve causes the evaporating refrigerant in the evaporator (valve 19 being closedagainst any escape of vapor in that direction) to build up a pressure therein which is finally sumcient to prevent further evaporation in the evaporator and cooling ceases. As soon as the valve 21 is opened by increase of temperature4 in the car, pressure in the evaporator is reduced and evaporation of this liquid begins. When the pressure in the evaporator increases sufliciently to cause the valve 20 to open, the vapor will pass 11n into the condenser, be there condensed into a liquid and collect atthe bottom thereof. If the evaporator is at or near the ceiling of the car, as is advisable if the full length of the bunker or compartment 11 is to be utilized, the normal level o1' the liquid in the condenser will be below the evaporator 15 and thus the liquid in the condenser will not flow back into the evaporator unless some means to that end is provided.

The return of the liquid from the condenser to the evaporator is accomplished in the construction shown by the arrangement of ,valves in the evaporator system. As evaporation in the evapothe riser pipe. This action continues until a certain quantity of liquid refrigerant is stored in the riser pipe 22. When valve 20 next opens to release the pressure in the evaporator, a boiling in the riser pipe will occur which will reduce the weight on the column of liquid therein so that the head of liquid in the condenser will be of suincient weight to force a portion of the liquid in the riser pipe into the evaporator, where it may be utilized for refrigeratingpurposes. Accordingly evaporator 15 is being continually furnished -with new quantities of liquid refrigerant, and,

of course, this action continues until the car interior reaches the preferred temperature when thermostatic valve 21 closes to build up pressure in evaporator 15 and thus prevent any boiling in the riser pipe 22. Thus it will be evident that the car interior will be maintained substantially at the predetermined temperature by the simple and practical operation of this apparatus.

It will be seen that there is provided a construction of an essentially practical nature in which the several objects of this invention are attained.

As many other embodiments may be made of the features of the above invention without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that vall matter `herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted 'as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser containing a volatile liquid, an

evaporator communicating with said condenser,

said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by -said evaporator, an adjustable check valve controlling the passage of vapor from said evaporator to said condenser, and thermostatic means controlling the passage to said valve.

2. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator communicating with said condenser and containing a volatile liquid, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator, an adjustably loaded check Valve in said evaporator controlling the passage of vapor from said evaporator to said condenser, and a thermostatically controlled valve controlling the passage of vapo'r from said evaporator to said check valve.

3. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser containing a volatile liquid, an evaporator communicating with said condenser, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator, a check valve controlling the passage of liquid between .said condenser and said evaporator, and an adjustably loaded check valve acting to control the passage of vapor from said evaporator to said condenser in accordance with the pressure in said evaporator.

4. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator communicating with said condenser and containing a volatile liquid, a check valve controlling the passage of liquid between said condenser and said evaporator, a second check valve controlling the passage of vapor from said evaporator to said condenser, and a thermostatically controlled shut-off valve in said evaporator.

5. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser containing a volatile liquid, an evaporator communicating with said condenser, a check valve controlling the passage of liquid between saidl condenser and said evaporator, an adjustably loaded check valve controlling the passage o`f vapor from said evaporator to said condenser, and a thermostatically controlled valve regulating the passage of vapor to said loaded valve.

6. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser containing a volatile liquid, an evaporator communicating with said condenser, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator, a check valve controlling the flow of liquid between said condenser and said evaporator, and a thermostatically controlled valve regulating the flow of vapor from said evaporator to said condenser.

7. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating compartment, a container in said compartment holding a volatile liquid, an evaporating coil connected to said container to receive the liquid therefrom and return the vapor thereto, said compartment containing a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporating coil, and a. check valve controlling the passage of liquid between the container and the coil, and a second check valve controlling the passage of vapor therebetween.

8. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating compartment, a container therein holding a volatile liquid, a cooling chamber, an evaporating coil in said chamber connected to said container, said compartment containing a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained in said chamber, and check valves regulating the passage of liquid between said container and said coil and the return of the vapor to said container, one of said valves being controlled by vapor pressure within said coil.

9. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a compartment adapted to contain a refrigerant, a receptacle in said compartment holding a volatile liquid, an evaporating coil having its ends connected respectively to substantially the top and bottom of said receptacle to permit the liquid in the receptacle to iiow into said coil and the vapor in the coil to return to said receptacle, a

lll() check valve controlling the passage of liquid between the receptacle and the coil, and a loaded check valve controlling the return of thev vapor from said coil to said receptacle.

10. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a refrigerating compartment, a container therein holding a volatile liquid, a cooling chamber, an evaporating coil in said chamber having its ends connected to said container to receive the liquid therefrom and permit the vapor to return thereto, a loaded check valve controlling the return of the vapor to said container, and a thermostatically controlled valve controlling the vapor passage to said check valve.

11. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a compartment containing a refrigerant, a receptacle therein holding a volatile liquid, a cooling chamber, an evaporating coil in said chamber having its ends communicating with said receptacle to receive the liquid from said receptacle and return the vapor to said receptacle, a one way check valve near the inlet end of said coil controlling the passage of liquid between said receptacle and said coil, an -adjustably loaded check valve near the outlet end of said coil controlling the return of vapor to said receptacle, and a thermostatically controlled shut-off valve in said coil near said loaded valve.

12. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a closed system comprising a condenser holding a volatile liquid, an evaporating coil communicating with said condenser and disposed above the normal level of the liquid therein, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporating coil, and a valve controlling the passage of vapor from said coil into said condenser, the liquid being caused to iiow from said condenser into said coil by differential of pressure in the system due in part to the opening and closing of said valve.

13. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser having a volatile liquid therein, an evaporating coil communicating at one end with the upper portion of said condenser and disposed above the normal level of the liquid therein, a riser pipe connecting the lower portion of said condenser with the other end of said coil, a check valve at the inlet end of said riser pipe, and a second check valve at the outlet end of said'coil.

14. In refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser having a volatile liquid therein, an evaporating coil communicating at one end with the upper portion of said condenser and disposed above the normal level of .the liquid therein, a riser pipe connecting the lower portion of said condenser with the other end of 'said coil, a check valve at the inlet end of said riser pipe, an adjustably loaded check valve at the outlet end of said coil, and a thermostatically controlled shutoff valve in said coil in front of said loaded valve.

15. In a vehicle, in combination, a cooling chamber, a compartment to contain a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained in said chamber, a condenser in said compartment containing a volatile liquid, an evaporator in said chamber communicating withsaid condenser, and means including a loaded check valve and a thermostatically controlled valve for controlling the ow of the liquid into said evaporator and the return of the evolved vapor to the condenser.

16. In a railway car, in combination, a car body, a refrigerating compartment at one end of said body, a condenser in said compartment holding a volatile liquid, a chamber whose temperature is to be regulated, said compartment containing a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained in said chamber, an evaporator in said chamber communicating with said condenser, and valves controlling the passage of the liquid to said evaporator and the return of the evolved vapor to said condenser.

1'7. In a railway car, in combination, a car body, a compartment at one end of said body to contain a refrigerant, a condenser in said compartment containing a volatile liquid, and an evaporator connected to said condenser and disposed within the body of' the car outside said compartment, said refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained in said car body outside of said compartment, said evaporator being disposed above the normal level of the liquid in said condenser and said liquid being caused to flow from said condenser into said evaporator by fluctuations of pressure therein.

18. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator and said evaporator being positioned above the central portion of said condenser, means connecting one side of said evaporator to the top of said condenser, a check valve associated with said last-mentioned means, and means connecting the bottom of said condenser to the other side of said evaporator, said last-mentioned means comprising a tube having a U-shaped portion extending above the top of said condenser.

19. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator located substantially on the same level as the top of said condenser, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator, means connecting one side of said evaporator to the top of said condenser, and a conduit connecting the other side of said evaporator with the bottom of said condenser, said conduit having a U-shaped portion one side of which is connected to the evaporator and the top of which extends above the top of said condenser.

20. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator located substantially on the same level as the top of said condenser, said condenser being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below the temperature to be maintained by said evaporator, means connecting one side of said evaporator to the top of said condenser, a thermostatically responsive valve associated with said last-mentioned means, and a conduit connecting the other side of said evaporator with the bottom of said condenser, said conduit having a U-shaped portion one side of which is connected to the evaporator and the top of which extends above the top of said condenser.

21. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator, said evaporator being positioned above the central portion of said condenser, means connecting one side of said-vaporator to the top of said condenser, means connecting the bottom of said condenser to the other side of said evaporator, said last-mentioned means comprising a tube having a U-shaped portion extending above the top of said condenser, and a one way check valve disposed in said lastmentloned means substantially in its point of connection with said condenser.

22. In refrigeration apparatusr in combination, a condenser, an evaporator located substantially on the same level as the top of said condenser. means connecting one side of said. evaporator to the top of said condenser, a thermostatically responsive valve associated with said last-mentioned means, a 'conduit connecting the other side of said evaporator with the bottom of said condenser, said conduit having a U-shaped portion one side ofwhich is connected to the evaporator and the top of which extends above the top of said condenser, and a one way check valve located in said conduit and adapted to allow liquid refrigerant to pass from said condenser to said U-shaped portion while preventing the passage of any of said liquid or any gas in the opposite direction. 1

23. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a condenser, an evaporator, said evaporator being positioned above the central portion of said condenser, means connecting one side of said evaporator to the topof said condenser, a check valve associated with said last-mentioned means, means connecting the bottom of said condenser to the other side of said evaporator, said lastmentioned means comprising a tube having a U-shaped portion extending above the top of said condenser, and a one way check valve associated with said last-mentioned means for allowing liquid to pass into said U-shaped portion while preventing the passage of any liquid or gas in the opposite direction.

24. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a vehicle having a compartment whose temperature is to be regulated, a chamber located at one end of said vehicle, an evaporating coil extending into said compartment, a condenser in said chamber, a conduit connecting the outlet side of said coil to the upper portion of said condenser, means connecting the lower portion of said condenser with the intake side of said evaporating coil, said condenser being located below said evaporating coil on said vehicle, said chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant Whose temperature is below the temperature to be maintained in said compartment, and valves controlling the flow of iluid through said conduit and said last-mentioned means.

25. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a vehicle having a compartment whose temperature is to be regulated, a chamber located at one end of said vehicle, an evaporating coil extending into said compartment, a condenser in said chamber, a conduit connecting the outlet side of said coil to said condenser, means connecting said condenser with the intake side of said evaporating coil, said condenser being 1ocated below said evaporating coil on said vehicle, said chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant whose temperature is below the temperature to be maintained in said compartment, a check valve in said last-mentioned means for permit- `ting the flow of liquid from said evaporating coil to said condenser and prohibiting the ow of liquid from said evaporating coil to said condenser, and a loaded valve in said conduit.

26. In refrigeration apparatus, in combination, a vehicle having a compartment whose temperature is `to be regulated, a chamber located at one end of said vehicle, an evaporating coil extending into said compartment, a condenser in said chamber, a conduit connecting the outlet side of said coil to said condenser, means connecting said condenser with the intake side of said evaporating coil, said condenser being located below said evaporating coil on said vehicle, said chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant whose temperature is below the temperature to be maintained in said compartment, a check valve in said last-mentioned means for permitting the ow of liquid from said evaporating coil to said condenser and prohibiting the flow of liquid from said evaporating coil to said con denser, and a thermostatic valve in said conduit 115 for controlling the flow of vapor therethrough in response to the temperature of said space.

JOHN D. STROBELL. GEORGE E.l HULSE.

caiiniienrn or CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 943, 994.

January 16, i934.

JOHN D. STROBELL, ET AL.

it is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page l, line 76, for

"conductor" read condenser; and that the said'Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record o f the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th clay of April, A. D. 1934.

(sean Bryan M. Battey Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

